Texas vs Purdue Sweet 16 thriller saw Purdue Boilermakers edge the No. 11 Texas Longhorns 79-77 on Trey Kaufman-Renn’s miraculous tip-in with 0.7 seconds left at San Jose’s SAP Center, punching their ticket to the 2026 March Madness Elite Eight.
Texas vs. Purdue: A Thrilling Start to the Game
Purdue got off to an explosive start in the Texas vs. Purdue contest. Within the first two minutes, back-to-back three-pointers from Braden Smith and Oscar Tshiebwe gave them a 6-point lead. Texas, however, responded immediately—their guards capitalized on fast-break opportunities to tie the game. Both teams played a physical brand of basketball throughout the first half, leading to an increase in fouls and forcing the referees to make difficult calls.
In the second half, Texas took the lead through a combination of mid-range jumpers and drives to the basket. Purdue’s seniors—Smith, Tshiebwe, and Kaufman-Renn—however, held the team together. Midway through the half, Texas had established a 4-point lead, but Purdue quickly erased the deficit. The Texas vs. Purdue matchup remained a fierce, back-and-forth battle at every turn.
The final 10 seconds proved to be the defining highlight of the Texas vs. Purdue game. Following a missed shot by Texas, Purdue secured the rebound. Kaufman-Renn drove the ball toward the basket, but his initial shot rimmed out. Texas, having already exhausted their foul shots, opted not to call a timeout. Kaufman-Renn, however, refused to give up—he snatched the ball away from the Texas center and executed a game-winning tip-in with just 0.7 seconds left on the clock! This tip-in proved to be the game-winning basket for Purdue. This moment from the Texas vs. Purdue matchup is destined to go down in March Madness history. Kaufman-Renn recorded a double-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Braden Smith contributed 22 points, while Oscar Cluff tallied 15 points and 8 assists.
With their victory over Texas, Purdue has advanced to the Elite Eight. They will now face the winner of the Sweet 16 matchup between No. 1 Arizona and No. 4 Arkansas on Saturday, March 28, in San Jose. This marks Purdue’s second consecutive appearance in the Elite Eight as they continue their pursuit of a National Championship.
Elite Eight tickets at the SAP Center are available starting at $187. Purdue fans are excited to cheer their Boilermakers on to the Final Four. The Texas vs. Purdue game demonstrated just how effective Purdue’s senior leadership and Coach Matt Painter’s strategic game plan truly are.
Key Player Stats
| Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trey Kaufman-Renn | Purdue | 18 | 10 | 2 | 0.7s game-winner ​ |
| Braden Smith | Purdue | 22 | 6 | 3 | Back-to-back 3s |
| Oscar Cluff | Purdue | 15 | 5 | 8 | Floor general |
| Texas G | Texas | 20 | 4 | 5 | Mid-range threat |
Purdue shot 42% FG, 36% 3PT; Texas owned boards 42-38 but faltered in crunch time.
Purdue Coach Matt Painter remarked, “Our seniors won this game. Kaufman-Renn’s tip-in is a testament to their four years of hard work. The Texas vs. Purdue game was exactly the kind of challenge we needed to prepare us for the Elite Eight.” The Texas coach stated, “We fought until the very last second, but one small mistake proved costly.”
Purdue’s confidence has been bolstered by their victory over Texas. The upcoming matchup against the winner of the Arizona vs. Arkansas game promises to be a challenging one for them. No. 1 Arizona’s formidable frontcourt and No. 4 Arkansas’s speedy guards pose significant threats to Purdue.
The 2026 March Madness Elite Eight will take place in San Jose, Houston, Washington D.C., and Chicago. Purdue’s next game is scheduled to tip off on Saturday night at 8:30 PM ET. Tickets are available on StubHub.
The Texas vs. Purdue game serves as a symbol of the unexpected twists and turns inherent in March Madness. Kaufman-Renn’s heroic moment is propelling Purdue closer to the Final Four. For NCAA fans, this season is proving to be an unforgettable one.
